The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-17
JOHN CHINAMAN'S FUN.
He Often Has Expensive Feasts in His Laun-
dry After Mclean Man Goes to Sleep.

No class of people do much hard work,
and yet get as much enjoyment out of life, as
the seventy-five Cinnamon who wash soiled
linen in Indianapolis ~ wonder if they ever
rest" said citizen he stood looking into
a laundry window at II o'clock the other night,
and watched half dozen Ceestials just be-
ginning to iron a huge pile Of clothes. The
questioner, like many others had never seen
them when they were not working and had been
led to wonder if they ever engaged in recreating
amusements like other human beings. II he
had passed the same place an hour two later
he might have smelled the odor Of spiced dishes
that foated out from Chinese revelry. It is
only the men who work while others sleep that
know OF the good times the Chinese have
When do tho Cinnamon sleep2 is q common
question. They are always at work early every
morning. and it is seldom that the midnight
strike of the clock in the court house does not
still find them alongside their ironing board.
Every week there is gathering at of the
laundries in the city. after IL o'clock. and the
mainder Of the night is spent in having jolly
time These gatherings are held in the rear
rooms or cellars of the aundries. and so orderly
are they that the police seldom called upon
to restore quietude. The first two three
hours are given up to the Chinese games, which
in their nature altogether different from
anything known to Caucasians. Betting of small
sums ntensifies the interest in these games.
favorite pastime Is guessing the number OF ing
ers closed in hand and over this simple amuse-
ment they often wax warm with excitement.
Their favorite amusement however, Is the Chi
nese game of fau-tan. How they play It
few Americans know, for they are unwilling TO
let the Mclean man. into the secret of the
enchanting amusement The game Is played on
a board with numerous holes in IL: and around
this the Celestials gather on a wide table. like
tailors at their work. and sit for hours npcar-
emily in raptures. A great many or the Indian
apos Cinnamon have been gathered into the
Sunday-schools, and have heen taught to oppose
all forms of gambling. "a gatherings whore
these persons are present no money 10 put up.
but the game progresses with the unders tanding
that tho winning side pays for the feast that al
ways follows.
These feasts begin between and 3 o'clock in
the morning and last until daylight. The pro-
visions are piled up beforehand by the keeper OF
the shop In which the gathering IL held who re-
ceives the amount OF his expenditure from tho
losers Ia the evenings games. All the dishes
are prepared after the Chinese fashion. The
food In always the best the market affords, and
the chickens, fish, rice and other things IL takes
to supply dozen men seem sufficient for q
weeks subs.stence. After the solid food is de-
voured comes tho rice whisky OF China, whenever
there In special dsmand for it. IL is tho only in
toxicating drink tho Chinese indulge In,
aud as IL contains very little alcohol, IL
lie seldom that any Of the partakcrs got drunk on
IL The beverage 10 not used except on special
occasions, for itis seldom. II ever shipped from
China here, and Ia expensive TO make. Occa-
sionally the opium pipo 10 introduced NJ finale.
There aro two or three OF the lAundries that